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Vincent DiStasi, age 31, of South Setauket, was formally charged with assault and related offenses in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, April 25, after prosecutors said he repeatedly abused his 5-week-old son to the point of needing emergency surgery.
According to the indictment, Suffolk County Police were called to Stony Brook University Hospital on Sunday, Jan. 21 after the unresponsive infant was brought to the emergency department by ambulance.
Doctors determined that the boy was suffering from multiple abuse-related injuries, including rib fractures, fractures to both arms, and a subdural hematoma (bleeding) to his brain.
They concluded that the abuse had occurred over an extended period of time as all of the injuries were in various stages of healing.
The infant spent weeks on life support and doctors thought he might not survive. He continues fighting for his life, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, which was designated as special prosecutor on the case.
Investigators determined that DiStasi violently shook the child, causing his brain injury.
Home surveillance footage obtained by police showed him tossing, punching, smacking, and smothering the child throughout the first five weeks of his life, prosecutors said.
Suffolk County Police arrested DiStasi on Monday, Jan. 29, outside of Stony Brook University Hospital.
“Vincent DiStasi allegedly brutally assaulted his five-week-old son from his earliest moments, finally shaking the child so violently that he caused a traumatic brain injury that required the child to undergo life-saving surgery,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
“The defendant’s alleged actions made his son’s first weeks in this world a violent nightmare and we will hold him accountable.”
In court Thursday, DiStasi pleaded not guilty to the following charges:
- Assault (felony)
- Reckless assault of a child (felony)
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor)
He was jailed on $300,000 bond ahead of his next court appearance on Thursday, May 23. The judge also issued two orders of protection.
DiStasi faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
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